Welcome back.

It’s time to kick off Daily Faceoff’s second annual NHL Prospect Pool Breakdown, looking at the best all 32 teams have to offer. We’re highlighting the top 10 prospects for every franchise, their biggest strengths and weaknesses and so much more.

The criteria for being labeled a “prospect” are simple: players generally have to have played in 50 or fewer NHL games or spent more time outside of the NHL than in it last year. Players over 23 years old are not included.

Today, we’re kicking off the new year by looking at the Anaheim Ducks.

The Ducks might finally be on the come-up after years of drafting high.

After watching Leo Carlsson, Pavel Mintyukov, Jackson LaCombe and Lukas Dostal become full-time NHLers two years ago, another pair – Cutter Gauthier and Olen Zellweger – also graduated out of prospect status in 2024-25. That’s an incredible amount of young talent in such a short amount of time, which helps to explain the growing pains associated with it.

Still, there’s a bright future in California. The Ducks still have a solid pipeline, highlighted by recent first-rounders Beckett Sennecke and Roger McQueen. The team has size up front, some options on the back end and a couple of potential backup goaltenders, as well – with the future looking a bit clearer now that John Gibson is out of the picture.

After signing Mikael Granlund to a multi-year deal, the acquisition of Chris Kreider and the contract extension to Frank Vatrano, this team might be in a spot to start competing sooner rather than later.

Biggest Strength

If the Ducks are looking to get tougher, they’ve got options. Stian Solberg can absolutely annihilate opponents, showing a willingness to knock down just about anyone. Sennecke and McQueen stand at 6-foot-4 and 6-foot-5, respectively, and even Nathan Gaucher looks like the perfect bottom-line power forward. Additionally, a lot of the Ducks’ top prospects are centers, with a few having experience on the wings, too. That’s never a bad thing to have.

Biggest Weakness

There aren’t many pure play-drivers in this pipeline. The allure around Sennecke and McQueen is that they’ve got much more skill than we’re used to seeing out of bigger prospects, and they can get the puck where it needs to be. But it feels like the bulk of the play-driving will come from players already in the NHL, which is fine.

TOP 10 PROSPECTS

*Beckett Sennecke (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

1. Beckett Sennecke, RW, 19 (Oshawa Generals, OHL)

Acquired: Drafted third overall, first round in 2024

Sennecke was a shocking pick at No. 3 last year, but he made the Ducks look incredibly smart this past season. He scored 36 goals and 86 points in 56 games, with the highlight being a 14-point run over a three-game stretch just prior to Canada’s World Junior camp. Sennecke didn’t make the final roster, which was heavily scrutinized when Canada struggled to generate offense. Sennecke started his draft year at 5-foot-10, was drafted at 6-foot-2 and is now listed at 6-foot-4 and 194 pounds – and he’s fully embracing his massive frame now. Add in the offense and the creativity and it’s no longer shocking that the Ducks took him when they did. Look for Sennecke to challenge for a roster spot out of training camp.

2. Roger McQueen, C, 18 (Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL)

Acquired: Drafted 10th overall, first round in 2025

Could McQueen become the biggest steal of the top 10 this year? The Ducks certainly hope so. McQueen played just 20 games between the regular season and the playoffs. But he was productive, physical, and showed so many flashes of skill. McQueen has a big 6-foot-5 frame, but moves like someone significantly smaller and lighter – in the best way possible. He can shoot, pass and intimidate all in one shift. A back injury is a tough one to overcome fully, but his pure talent is undeniable. If he can hit the ice at full speed next year with no issues, the Ducks could have another home-run pick on their hands.

3. Stian Solberg, LHD, 19 (San Diego Gulls, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 23rd overall, first round in 2024

*Stian Solberg (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

What a season for the chaotic blueliner. Known more for his defensive, physical play, Solberg was Norway’s best player at the World Championship, scoring four goals and six points in seven games. That even included a hat-trick against the United States in an improbable comeback effort. That was a small sample size, but between that, his second half with Farjestad in the SHL, and his great 10-game stint in San Diego, Solberg’s newfound confidence was overwhelming. Solberg does a little bit of everything internationally for Norway, and his promotion to full-time action against men showed he can absolutely dominate shifts against quality competition. Solberg was one of the biggest risers in the draft last year, and he’s not done.

4. Tristan Luneau, RHD, 21 (San Diego Gulls, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 53rd overall, second round in 2022

After starting the 2023-24 season in the NHL, but with injuries limiting him to just 13 games overall, Luneau just needed to play any hockey this past season. He was fantastic in the AHL, scoring nine goals and 52 points in 59 games, and even earning himself a six-game run in the NHL. Luneau made it to the AHL all-rookie team, with his 43 assists leading all first-year players. It was good seeing the former QMJHL top defenseman playing more than 22 minutes a night, and it looked like his skating has improved since his draft year. I wonder if he’s another year away from full-time NHL duty, but I fully expect him to make a run at a roster spot out of camp.

5. Lucas Pettersson, C/LW, 19 (Brynas, SHL)

Acquired: Drafted 35th overall, second round in 2024

If you’re looking for a human highlight reel, you’re not getting one out of Pettersson. But what you are getting is a smart, two-way forward who plays with speed and doesn’t sacrifice his defensive responsibilities to generate offense. Pettersson had a tough time in the SHL with MoDo (mostly due to a lack of ice time), but he played quite well in the second-tier Swedish league. Many scouts saw Pettersson as a future bottom-six player who can kill penalties and beat players with his pure energy, and I think this year further cemented his belief. I’m interested to see how things come along for him in the SHL in – hopefully – a bigger role this year, and he should make Sweden’s World Championship team.

6. Eric Nilson, C (Michigan State University, NCAA)

Acquired: Drafted 45th overall, second round in 2025

*Eric Nilson (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)*

There are some similarities between Pettersson and Nilson, particularly in how they think the game. I don’t think Nilson has high-end skill and he’s definitely not a play-driver. But he’s a great passer who can also wire home shots, too. He was productive in the Swedish U-20 league and has some pro experience with Djurgardens’ Allsvenskan team. I can see Nilson becoming an effective bottom-six forward because he’s so committed to winning every battle while still maintaining his position in his own zone. Next up: chasing a title with Michigan State University.

7. Yegor Sidorov, RW, 21 (San Diego Gulls, AHL)

Acquired: Drafted 85th overall, third round in 2023

Sidorov was a bit of a late bloomer, getting drafted as a second-year eligible prospect in 2023. Since then, all he has done is produce like an absolute madman. He had 50 goals and 88 points in his final year of junior and backed that up with an impressive 34-point rookie campaign in San Diego. Scoring in junior is one thing – but given he was on pace for more than 20 goals and close to 50 points in a full AHL season, Sidorov clearly was able to make that translate to the next level. Will he continue to produce in the NHL? We’ll see, but I’m really happy with how his shot and skating have continued to improve over time.

8. Tarin Smith, LHD, 19 (Everett Silvertips, WHL)

Acquired: Drafted 79th overall, third round in 2024

Smith was considered to be one of the bigger sleeper picks last year, and the Ducks must love how his development has gone. He had a nice 16-goal, 60-point season in Everett while showing some noticeable improvement in his skating. He’s an excellent passer, sees the ice well and puts a lot of power behind his shot, too. It doesn’t hurt that he has pro-level size and has continuously gotten better at reading defensive plays, either. Smith has some difficult competition to overcome if he’s going to make the Ducks in the next few years, but with the right development and a bit of patience, Smith could end up becoming a boom instead of a bust.

9. Maxim Massé, RW, 19 (Chicoutimi Saguenéens, QMJHL)

Acquired: Drafted No. 66, third round in 2024

*Maxim Masse (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

Massé played 20 fewer games this year, which is why his offense took a bit of a dip. But I still like this pick for the Ducks. Massé is a good two-way player with good energy. His skating isn’t great, but there has been some steady improvement over the past 12 months. Massé’s shot looks pro-ready and I appreciate how active he is on the penalty kill. I had some concerns about how he’d play outside of a scoring role a year ago. But it feels like his all-around game has taken some positive steps forward.

10. Nathan Gaucher, C, 21 (San Diego Gulls)

Acquired: Drafted: No. 22, first round in 2022

Not every prospect is going to be an absolute burner. Sometimes, you just need guys who know how to play a certain role. That’s where Gaucher comes in. The rugged center brings a nice 6-foot-3 frame, good footwork and an unrelenting forecheck that makes him so tough to defend against. As a bottom-six forward, Gaucher is detail-oriented enough to play a variety of roles in the NHL, and he has a good enough shot to make himself useful, too. I don’t expect him to be much of a point-producer in the NHL, though.

The Rest: Sasha Pastujov LW (21), Nico Myatovic, LW (20), Coulson Pitre, RW (20), Jaxsen Wiebe, RW (23), Jan Mysak, C (23), Tim Washe, C (23), Noah Reed, LW (18), Emile Guite, LW (18), Brady Turko, RW (17), Alexandre Blais, C (19), Austin Burnevik, RW (20), Ethan Procyszyn, RW (19), Herman Traff, RW (19), Michael Callow, RW (21), Kyle Kukkonen, C (22), Ethan Bowen, C (23), Ian Moore, RHD (23), Noah Warren, RHD (20), Konnor Smith, LHD (20), Drew Schock, LHD (18), Alexis Mathieu, LHD (18), Tyson Hinds, LHD (22), Lasse Boelius, LHD (18), Darels Uļjanskis, LHD (18), Jeremie Biakabutuka, RHD (23), Anthony Allain-Samaké, LHD (17), Damian Clara, G (20), Tomas Suchanek, G (22), Elijah Neuenschwander, G (18), Vyacheslav Buteyets, G (23), Calle Clang, G (23)

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